National Geographic is Sharing Photos of Endangered Species This Summer to Help Save Their Lives

Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae)Critically endangered, fewer than 700 left in the wild Photographed at the Miller Park Zoo in Atlanta, GeorgiaSupport the Photo Ark and projects working to help save species at PhotoArk.org and join the conversation on social media with #SaveTogether.

The #SaveTogether campaign relies on a combination of social media and good, old-fashioned signage to educate and engage the public. Today, it kicks off with a “digital billboard takeover” in Times Square. Now through summer, a special photo station will remain in the iconic tourist attraction. Inside the booth, visitors can take a selfie with an image shot by Joel Sartore, the founder of Photo Ark. Once snapped, these photos will appear on one of Times Square’s famous billboards.

If you can’t make it to bustling New York City, however, you can still participate. In zoos, museums, and other public spaces across the country, portraits of animals in need—including a Sumatran tiger, an African white-backed vulture, and a pair of Citron-crested cockatoos—have begun to pop up. If you spot one of these National Geographic photos, you’re invited to snap a selfie with it and share it on social media with the hashtag #SaveTogether. Once tagged, you can see your selfie on the National Geographic website.

On a mission to bring awareness to endangered animals, Joel Sartore has photographed over 6,500 vulnerable species for Photo Ark. In addition to acting as an important record of each species’ existence, the photos aim to “inspire action through education and help save wildlife by supporting on-the-ground conservation efforts.” If you’d like to find out more about how you can get involved with the project (in addition to snapping a selfie, of course), you can check out the project’s page.

Sneak a peek at some of the endangered species featured in #SaveTogether, a campaign by National Geographic’s Photo Ark.

Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii)Critically endangered, fewer than 15,000 left in the wild Photographed at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas Support the Photo Ark and projects working to help save species at PhotoArk.org and join the conversation on social media with #SaveTogether.

African white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus)Critically endangered, fewer than 270,000 left in the wild Photographed at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Cleveland, OhioSupport the Photo Ark and projects working to help save species at PhotoArk.org and join the conversation on social media with #SaveTogether.

Ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora)Critically endangered, fewer than 800 left in the wild Photographed at the Turtle Conservancy in Ojai, California Support the Photo Ark and projects working to help save species at PhotoArk.org and join the conversation on social media with #SaveTogether.

Red wolf (Canis rufus)Critically endangered, fewer than 150 left in the wild Photographed at the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls, South DakotaSupport the Photo Ark and projects working to help save species at PhotoArk.org and join the conversation on social media with #SaveTogether.

Burmese star tortoise (Geochelone platynota)Critically endangered, fewer than 5,000 left in the wild Photographed at the Los Angeles Zoo in Los Angeles, California Support the Photo Ark and projects working to help save species at PhotoArk.org and join the conversation on social media with #SaveTogether.

Fiji banded iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus)Endangered, fewer than 8,000 left in the wildPhotographed at the Houston Zoo in Houston, TexasSupport the Photo Ark and projects working to help save species at PhotoArk.org and join the conversation on social media with #SaveTogether.

African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)Endangered, fewer than 2,000 left in the wildPhotographed at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha, NebraskaSupport the Photo Ark and projects working to help save species at PhotoArk.org and join the conversation on social media with #SaveTogether.

Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes)Endangered, fewer than 500 left in the wildPhotographed at the Toronto Zoo in Toronto CanadaSupport the Photo Ark and projects working to help save species at PhotoArk.org and join the conversation on social media with #SaveTogether.

These National Geographic photos can be found on billboards across the country.

The National Geographic Society and the Outdoor Advertising Association of America have launched a groundbreaking campaign aimed at saving species at risk in the wild, like these critically endangered Citron-crested cockatoos. Learn more at PhotoArk.org and join the conversation on social media with #SaveTogether.

The National Geographic Society and the Outdoor Advertising Association of America have launched a groundbreaking campaign aimed at saving species at risk in the wild, like this endangered golden snub-nosed monkey, of which there are an estimated fewer than 16,000 left in the wild. Learn more at PhotoArk.org and join the conversation on social media with #SaveTogether.

The National Geographic Society and the Outdoor Advertising Association of America have launched a groundbreaking campaign aimed at saving species at risk in the wild, like these twin giant panda cubs, of which there are an estimated fewer than 2,000 left in the wild. Learn more at PhotoArk.org and join the conversation on social media with #SaveTogether.

The National Geographic Society and the Outdoor Advertising Association of America have launched a groundbreaking campaign aimed at saving species at risk in the wild, like these vulnerable white-bellied pangolins. Learn more at PhotoArk.org and join the conversation on social media with #SaveTogether.